Some years come with plenty of debate about which linebacker is the best in a particular draft class. That was the case in 2009, when five linebackers went in the first round. And in 2008, when Keith Rivers and Jerod Mayo went back-to-back with the 9th and 10th picks overall.

That is not the case this year, though. No, there is little debating who the top linebacker prospect is in the 2011 draft class. Von Miller, the former Texas A&M standout, has run away with the honors.

Even so, there are some candidates who have the potential to wind up the better pro – perhaps just like how Clay Matthews did after Green Bay selected him last among all those first-round linebackers in '09. So in our latest and last position-by-position breakdown in anticipation of the NFL Draft we look at linebacker.

And, in particular, at Von Miller and Georgia's Justin Houston, who's perhaps the next-best prospect at his position after Miller.

Production

Houston: In 13 games during his junior season at Georgia, Houston finished with 67 tackles – 19.5 for loss – and 11 sacks. He forced two fumbles and intercepted a pass.

Miller: In 13 games during his senior season at Texas A&M, Miller finished with 68 tackles – 17.5 for loss – and 10.5 sacks. He forced three fumbles and intercepted a pass.

Strengths

Houston: Has a natural knack for making plays, as he showed plenty of times during his junior season at Georgia. Can get around protection on the outside and is an ideal fit at outside linebacker for a 3-4 team.

Miller: The winner of the 2010 Butkus Award, given annually to the nation's top linebacker, Miller has no shortage of strengths. He can be an extraordinary pass-rusher in a 3-4 scheme. At 6-foot-3 and 246 pounds, he possesses the prototypical size for the position. And he ran a 4.53 in the 40-yard dash.

Weaknesses

Houston: He's a bit of a tweener – at 6-foot-3 and 270 pounds he's too small to play defensive end and perhaps too much of a liability in areas aside from pass rushing to be a consistently elite performer in the NFL. The potential is there, though.

Miller: As natural of a pass rusher as Miller is, he still struggles at times against the run. He will also need to improve at the next level in pass coverage.

Best fit

Houston: A 3-4 team that wants to bolster its pass rush with an athletic player who has a lot of upside. He's not likely to go until the latter part of the first round or early in the second. A team like the Jets could make sense if he's still on the board.

Miller: Like Houston, Miller would be best suited in a 3-4 but he has a skill set that'd likely carry over in any kind of system. Most pundits don't see him slipping past Buffalo at pick No. 3.

The pick

It's not much of a question here. While Houston is arguably among the top two or three linebackers in this class, there's no debating who's No. 1. Miller has All-Pro potential and will be expected to step on the field and contribute from day one no matter where he's selected. If he's not among the top three overall picks it'll be a surprise.

Worth noting: Though there are some talented linebackers to be had here, Miller is generally seen as the only sure-first first-round pick at his position in this class. Houston, Ayers and Carter could all feasibly go in the first round, too. But if Miller is indeed the only first-rounder, it'll mark the first time since the 2001 draft that only one linebacker goes in the first round.

Dolphins' focus: Miami would like to add another dominant pass rusher to pair opposite Cameron Wake in the Dolphins' 3-4 scheme. Even so, though, the Dolphins' defense is in relatively good shape and adding a is relatively low on the list of priorities in this draft. The interior of the offensive line and other upgrades on offense – perhaps at quarterback, too – are likely to be the priority early.